Maldives Swimming and Life Saving Skills Training School Hosts Prestigious 3rd Life Saving Leadership Awards Ceremony 2026 Malé, Maldives — 17 May 2026

The Maldives Swimming and Life Saving Skills Training School proudly hosted the prestigious 3rd Life Saving Leadership Awards Ceremony 2026, a distinguished event dedicated to recognizing excellence, visionary leadership, operational professionalism, and outstanding achievement in water safety, lifesaving services, emergency response, and aquatic risk management across the Maldives tourism and hospitality industry.

The ceremony brought together senior government officials, internationally respected lifesaving professionals, resort executives, operational leaders, lifeguards, emergency response personnel, and distinguished guests for an evening devoted to honoring individuals and organizations whose unwavering commitment continues to safeguard lives within aquatic environments throughout the Maldives.

The event commenced with a solemn tribute to the late Staff Sergeant Mr. Mohamed Mahudhee, whose invaluable contribution to the establishment and continued development of the Maldives Swimming and Life Saving Skills Training School was respectfully commemorated. His enduring legacy of dedication, mentorship, discipline, and selfless service remains deeply embedded within the institution and continues to inspire the lifesaving community nationwide.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of His Excellency Mr. Samitha Thilina, Senior Instructor and Brand Manager of Sri Lanka Life Saving, who attended as the Chief Guest of the evening. Widely respected across the region for his exceptional leadership and contribution to lifesaving development,

Mr. Samitha Thilina served as the Chef de Mission for Team Sri Lanka at the 6th Asian Games held in Sanya.

His distinguished presence elevated the international significance of the event and reflected the growing regional cooperation in advancing aquatic safety standards and professional lifesaving excellence.

Also attending as a distinguished dignitary was the representative of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Honorable Minister of State for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Mohamed Nashath Nasheed, whose participation highlighted the increasing national importance of water safety, emergency preparedness, guest protection, and integrated risk management within the Maldives tourism sector.

During the opening segment of the ceremony, Chairperson of the Award Committee, Mr. Ahmed Areesh Afeef, delivered an inspiring address emphasizing the importance of strengthening professional standards, operational excellence, and water safety leadership throughout the Maldives. His remarks highlighted the critical role of continuous education, professional recognition, competency development, and collaborative partnerships in advancing aquatic safety nationwide.

The evening also featured a special address by Mr. Mohamed Najaah, Resort Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli, who shared valuable insights on the significance of integrated safety culture, leadership commitment, operational preparedness, and proactive risk management in maintaining exceptional standards of guest protection and emergency response within luxury hospitality operations.

In his keynote address, Chief Guest His Excellency Mr. Samitha Thilina highly commended the Maldives Swimming and Life Saving Skills Training School for its continued contribution toward professional lifesaving education, operational competency development, and water safety advocacy throughout the Maldives. He further emphasized the importance of international collaboration, continuous professional development, and globally aligned operational standards in strengthening aquatic safety capabilities across the region. His motivating speech left a profound impact on attendees and reinforced the importance of sustaining excellence in lifesaving, emergency response operations, and aquatic risk management.

During the ceremony, a total of 45 awards were presented under multiple categories recognizing exceptional individuals, operational teams, educational leaders, resorts, and professionals who demonstrated exemplary commitment and performance throughout 2025. In addition, five distinguished professionals were honored with the prestigious Guardian of Ocean Water Safety Ambassador Award 2026, recognizing their exceptional contribution toward promoting ocean safety awareness, drowning prevention advocacy, and aquatic safety leadership within the Maldives.

Ahmed Jamsheed — Sun Siyam Iru Veli

Mohamed Shakir — Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Ibrahim Izudhihar — W Maldives

Almas Ahmed — Siyam World Maldives

Ibrahim Nasir — Avani Fares Maldives

The ceremony further recognized numerous outstanding individuals for their remarkable contribution to lifesaving excellence and operational professionalism.

A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of the prestigious General Manager of the Year 2025 award to Mr. Masdhooq Saeed, General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli Resort, in recognition of his exceptional leadership, visionary management, and unwavering commitment toward strengthening operational excellence, guest wellbeing, water safety culture, and emergency preparedness standards within the Maldives tourism industry.

This distinguished recognition reflects Mr. Masdhooq Saeed’s continuous support in advancing professional safety operations, empowering operational teams, and promoting internationally aligned standards in aquatic safety and risk management. Under his exceptional leadership, Sun Siyam Iru Veli has demonstrated remarkable progress in integrated safety operations, emergency preparedness, and lifesaving excellence, establishing itself as a leading benchmark within the Maldivian hospitality sector.

Several resorts and operational teams were also recognized for excellence in water safety systems, emergency preparedness, and integrated lifesaving operations, including:

Niyama Private Islands — Water Safety Education & Advocacy Award 2025

Patina Maldives, Fari Islands — Water Safety Education & Advocacy Award 2025

Sun Siyam Iru Veli — Water Safety Education & Advocacy Award 2025

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island — Life Saving & Emergency Response Team Excellence Award 2025

W Maldives — Crisis Response and Preparedness Excellence Award 2025

JOALI Maldives — Integrated Safety Operations Award 2025

Avani+ Fares Maldives — Best Safety and Wellbeing Excellence Award 2025

The pinnacle recognition of the evening, the prestigious Maldives Water Safety Excellence Award 2025, was proudly presented to Sun Siyam Iru Veli, recognizing the resort’s extraordinary leadership, operational excellence, commitment to international water safety standards, and exceptional implementation of lifesaving and emergency preparedness systems.

Widely regarded as the highest distinction presented during the ceremony, the award symbolizes the ultimate benchmark of excellence in aquatic safety and guest protection within the Maldives tourism industry. The recognition reflects Sun Siyam Iru Veli’s unwavering dedication toward professional training, operational readiness, proactive risk management, and the continuous advancement of a strong and sustainable safety culture.

The resort’s remarkable achievement further reinforces its position as a leading example of excellence in water safety operations, integrated emergency response management, and guest wellbeing within the Maldives hospitality sector.

The Maldives Swimming and Life Saving Skills Training School continues to play a significant role in advancing lifesaving education, aquatic risk management, emergency response competency, and drowning prevention awareness throughout the country. Through professional training programs, operational development initiatives, educational outreach, and strategic partnerships, the institution remains dedicated to building safer aquatic environments for both residents and visitors of the Maldives.

Maldives Swimming and Life Saving Skills Training School extended its sincere appreciation to all award recipients, participating resorts, distinguished dignitaries, operational professionals, and supporting partners whose invaluable contribution ensured the success of this remarkable event.

The 3rd Life Saving Leadership Awards Ceremony 2026 stands as another historic milestone in recognizing individuals and organizations committed to protecting lives and promoting the highest standards of water safety excellence within the Maldives.